Newport Rhode Island goes old school
/
Boatyard, Newport RI
You can't get much more "old school" than the École des Beaux-Arts, but why would that venerable French institution influence a New England city with a significant sailing heritage? The short answer is because of Richard Morris Hunt.
Chateau Sur Mer
Richard Morris Hunt was the first American to study architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts, and his signature style has become synonymous with Newport. With its extremely pleasant summer climate, Newport became a popular summer destination in New England by the late 1800’s, attracting many of America’s most wealthy citizens. They built enormous summer homes that became status symbols, not unlike the Chateaux of the French aristocracy. It was Hunt’s inspiration, based on his French architectural education, that cemented this comparison. (For some stunning French Chateaux, check out this post.)
Today there are so many notable mansions on the island of Newport that its main street, Bellevue Avenue, is a registered National Historic District. Here are some of its highlights:
The way the French culture revered architecture, treating it as a fine art, left an impression on Hunt. He was instrumental in elevating the role of the architect in America from that of a mere craftsman to an artist and professional. Hunt was the founder of the AIA, the American Institute of Architects, an institution that continues to advocate for the importance of the architectural profession. The 2014 AIA National Convention took place in Chicago, a city known for embracing architectural design. More on Chicago architecture soon!
